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Community Food Education with Children's Cafeterias (MAFF)

Nationwide, Japan · Operator: 農林水産省 (MAFF) and local kodomo-shokudo / community partners

Overview

A nationwide effort based on MAFF's case collection of food education advanced by children's cafeterias working with communities and gardens. Local cafeterias link to plots, harvest experiences and nearby farmers so children grow, harvest, cook and eat together. It connects the food cycle, local production-consumption and food-loss reduction with creating safe places for children.

Citizen participation

Local children's cafeterias partner with gardens, harvest experiences and farmers so children take part from growing to harvesting, cooking and sharing meals; MAFF collects and disseminates good practices.

Operating model

Children's cafeterias run on donations, volunteers and municipal cooperation; MAFF supports the non-profit model through case collections and information sharing.

Impact

Shares good practices nationwide and positions children's cafeterias as hubs for food education and community cooperation.

Crops

  • seasonal vegetables
  • rice
  • leafy greens

Scale

National program; case collection covers many local children's cafeterias linking gardens, harvest and meals

Sources(2)

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Community Food Education with Children's Cafeterias (MAFF) — Urban Farm DB